Chapter 1

I was Asterton's business mogul, Ronald Foster's, girlfriend of three years. Although he spoiled me to bits, I knew the real reason behind his affection. I resembled his idealized lover.

The plot wouldn't develop further until Ronald's idealized lover showed up, so my system and I just did whatever we wanted for three years. It was a good thing the system and I were close, as it kindly changed my task from getting Ronald's affection to maximum to escaping this world.

The condition for returning to my old world was for Ronald to betray me. The transfer would be automatic. When Ronald came home with her, I thought I would finally be able to go home.

However, the system realized its escape protocol wasn't working. That night, Ronald kissed me right in front of that woman.

Chapter 1 Prepare to Head Home

I transmigrated into a novel and became the replacement for the male lead's idealized lover. Ronald Foster was the name of that male lead.

The system had given me a mission: make Ronald fall for me. However, the plot wouldn't develop further until that woman showed up.

Fortunately, my best friend was the author of this novel, which made my system a close buddy of mine. And so, it switched my original mission to an escape protocol, and the trigger condition was Ronald's betrayal.

When Ronald came home with his idealized lover, I thought I was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Thunder roared outside, and the downpour drenched the trouser legs of Ronald and his true love.

For once, I made the first move and quickly approached them to show my concern. "Oh, Ronald, you're back. It's raining heavily out there. Are you drenched? And this is…"

I sized up the innocent, beautiful woman and thought to myself, 'Yeah, that's why she's his idealized lover. She really is beautiful.'

Ronald was surprised by my enthusiasm, but he quickly frowned and looked at my bare feet. "You should've worn some slippers."

I had hopped right out of the couch the moment I heard he had returned with his idealized lover.

So, it took him bringing it up for me to finally feel the cold draft brushing against my feet, but I waved it away. "Oh, I just got a little excited hearing you come home. So, who's the gorgeous lady?"

A small smile curled Ronald's lips, and something tender flickered in his eyes. Yep, that was his idealized lover, alright. I could finally go home tonight.

The woman was going to introduce herself, but Ronald held me in a princess carry. "I'll do the introductions later. Now, wear some shoes."

I pouted and grunted softly in protest.

Ronald was a gentle soul. It had been three years since I was thrown into this world, and I'd been mucking around all that time.

I thought the aloof Ronald would treat me like a pet who was at his every beck and call, but he had given me respect. He told everyone I was his girlfriend just so no rumors would spread.

Also, he cared for me meticulously; perhaps he had done all of that because I looked like his idealized lover. He would sign up for cooking classes just to make something that could alleviate my gastric pain.

He would take a flight back home in the dead of the night just to take care of sick little old me, even if it meant he wouldn't get any sleep. He would do everything in our daily lives if it meant I didn't have to go through the hassle.

If he couldn't do it, he would hire someone to do it for me.

I loved all of his gestures, but I knew that he was only doing it because I somewhat resembled someone else. I wrapped my arms around Ronald's neck and furtively observed that woman, who was trailing behind us.

The water didn't even make her look bad. If anything, it made her look fragile, like something that needed to be protected.

Ronald placed me on the couch and covered my icy soles with the warmth of his hands. Then, he turned to her and said, "Get a hot bath. You don't want to get a cold now."

He was very gentle when he spoke to her. "Jessica doesn't like having outsiders at home, so I've dismissed all the servants. You'll have to fill the tub up yourself. And your clothes…"

I paused.

"You can wear Ronald's," I finished the sentence and put on an "I don't care" look. After all, I knew my place. I was just a replacement.

Chapter 2 An Oddly Charged Meal

Upsetting Ronald right now wouldn't work in my favor. The woman gave me a look of surprise. She probably wasn't expecting me to be so gracious.

However, Ronald frowned. "No. My assistant will get you a couple of new sets."

I looked at him in confusion. Was the guy asking her to wait for his assistant's arrival? Hello? Couldn't he see that the lady was soaked to the bone?

My look of perplexity didn't escape Ronald. He explained, "I'm a clean freak."

That was odd. He didn't have any bad reaction when I wore his clothes. I was giving him an opening here. A moment later, I realized what he was trying to do.

That lady was his idealized lover. He couldn't have her wearing his old clothes.

The rain was still ongoing even after that woman was done bathing. She came downstairs, wearing nothing but a pure white dress, smiling at me gently. "Jessica, I suppose? Hi, I'm Selina Riverson, and I grew up with Ronald."

That was fast. She was making it clear to me that they'd known each other since they were children. That meant they were childhood friends.

"I see." And I stopped at that.

Selina continued, "I'm sorry for intruding, truly. It's raining heavily out there, and my place is a long way away. I just flew back. Ronald only came to get me since he knew I couldn't stay too long outside when it's thundering."

That reminded me. In the original story, Selina's parents were still overseas right now. Thus, no one would pick her up during a downpour, giving Ronald a shot at getting into her good graces.

Ronald was still cooking in the kitchen. Three years ago, he was a rich heir who had everything handed to him. Now, he was the perfectly caring partner. The thought of me giving him away annoyed me somewhat, but I knew he wasn't mine to begin with.

Selina didn't back off even when I'd given her a cold response. She sized me up. Just when I thought she wanted to keep prodding me, she said, "I can see why Ronald adores you."

I wondered if that was just a passing remark or a jab at me, but I didn't want to get roped into this. So, I wanted to tell Selina that she was the one he liked.

Just when I was about to say it, Ronald came out with some pasta. "Time to eat."

Ronald would usually hold me in his arms and take me to the dining table, but this time, he only pulled the chairs out before going back into the kitchen.

I sighed. This came from a mile away, and I'd seen it coming. Still, I quietly changed into my slippers and stood up.

I sat down and realized that there were only two plates of seafood pasta on the table. Ronald then came back out with some pasta bolognese and placed it before Selina.

I see. He made one separately for her because she loved it.

I felt a little down as I twirled the pasta with my fork and chastised my system in my mind. "Hey, he's home with another woman, and he's giving her preferential treatment. This must be betrayal! Is your protocol malfunctioning? Why am I not home yet?"

The system coughed awkwardly. "Um, it's probably because they haven't crossed the line yet. Don't worry. Remember the story? They'll go at it in the guest room tonight, even when you're still here."

I didn't feel relieved at all. Ronald was sitting beside me, and his fingers caressed my bangs. "What's wrong? I thought you wanted seafood pasta tonight. You look upset."

I looked at him in confusion. Selina was across from me, and she had a weird look in her eyes.

Yes, I did tell him that earlier in the day, but it was a passing remark even I had forgotten. I noticed the look in Selina's eyes, and my eyes fell to the gentle Ronald. That was when realization struck me.

I thought, 'Holy shit, man. You're using me to make her jealous?'

Ronald took my silence as a yes, and he went to whip me up something else. I tugged at him. Yes, I knew he wanted to show how gentle and caring he was because Selina was around, but going this far would just work in the opposite direction.

Of course, I didn't say that out loud.

Chapter 3 The Kiss

I shook my head and pointed at the plate. Then, I said politely, "Thank you, but I like seafood pasta very much. You do not have to trouble yourself."

Ronald frowned. "I don't like it when you talk like that."

What, was he expecting me to prostrate myself and express my unwavering and undying gratitude to him for making me food? I put on a smile that looked more like a sneer before going back to my food.

Unfortunately, tonight was so not my night. Even my fork was working against me. My hand shook right after I twirled up a mouthful of pasta, causing it to fall back onto the plate. The sauce splashed against Ronald's face.

Silence fell between us. I could sense Selina had stopped eating right away while I kept tabs on Ronald through the corner of my eye. He was wiping the sauce off his chin with a tissue. His face was tense, and he sighed.

Then, he took my fork and plate. I stared at him in shock. Yes, I might've embarrassed him in front of his true love, but keeping dinner from me was a touch too far.

"I'll feed you—"

"Don't take my din—"

We spoke at the same time, and froze. His lips twitched, perhaps from a mirthless smile. After dinner, Ronald was going to the guest room and clean it up for Selina.

Ronald's choice to dismiss the servants had given them an opening to have an affair right beneath my nose. The thunder was getting louder, and Selina was scared of thunder in the story. I knew Ronald wasn't coming back to bed that night.

So, I felt a little dejected as I sat on my bed and hugged my legs, while my eyes scanned my surroundings. The room was filled with the scent of Ronald and me, and I was the one who had placed all the decor.

No one knew that the bedroom of the aloof Ronald was filled with plushies and colorful decor. Alas, Ronald wasn't mine now. Then again, he never was mine.

I stared at the bedroom's door, counting down to the moment the system took me back. Yet, it didn't matter how hard I blinked as all I saw was the same old door. So, I asked the system what was going on.

The system was confused, and it kept checking the protocol. "The protocol shouldn't be malfunctioning. Maybe they haven't gotten to fourth base."

I pouted in disdain. "Your protocol sucks. Do you expect me to help them out or something?"

It seemed that the system figured that it was a grand idea. "You're right! We don't know how far along they are. Maybe you should check it out!"

Wow, what a way to crush my heart. Then again, we would never see each other again after tonight. So, I got out of bed and wore my slippers. Then, I went over to the guest room for our final meeting.

I snuck to their room but heard nothing coming from within. The door was ajar, so I tried to find the perfect angle that would let me take a peek at how far along they were going at it inside. Yet, all I saw was Selina smiling on her bed no matter how hard I looked.

Ronald must've done something stellar to make her smile so happily. I peeked my head out as far as I could, but I'd forgotten that I would risk exposure if I leaned ahead.

"What are you doing?" A voice came from behind. It nearly made me jump and fall, but a strong arm pulled me back up and kept me steady.

I turned around only to see Ronald giving me a weird look. He was holding earplugs. Selina noticed the commotion, and she came out holding her phone.

It was then I realized she had been on a video call alone.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted.

An imperceptible smile curled Ronald's lips, but he said, "That's my line."

"I thought…" I started, but I had no idea how to finish that sentence.

"You thought?" Ronald arched his eyebrow and put his arm around my waist right in front of Selina.

I was going to push him away, but he leaned down and chuckled into my ear. "Are you jealous, Jessica?"

I looked at Selina, whose eyes were growing wide with disbelief. Just when I was about to argue my innocence, Ronald kissed me right in front of her.